Friday, April 21, 2017

April 22, 2017

When you are flying at 500 mph and at 35,000 feet hitting turbulence can be a problem. You see the seat belt sign go on and you hear the announcement from the captain hoping it won't be too bad and it won't last too long.

In addition to the problem of turbulence there is the premise that you don't have to be on a plane to encounter turbulence. Life can be filled with turbulence, too. The fasten seat belt sign comes on regularly in everyday life. So, since turbulence is a very real part of life, you'd better learn how to handle it.

In Philippians 4:6, Paul, writing from prison while being chained to a prison guard wrote to the Philippians telling them to pray when life became turbulent and they could find peace from God.

"But, Brad, I am praying!" you say. 

"I have been praying hard for a long time and nothing is changed! I have no peace!"

Here's what Paul says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

I want you to know this is no casual "now I lay me down to sleep" type of prayer. Nor is it a 9-1-1 prayer, "God save me from this turbulence" or "God please turn off the seat belt sign". 

The prayer Paul is prescribing is an intense prayer that seeks to get to the root of what causes you to react with fear when your life hits turbulence. For Paul knows that somewhere in that fear is the deepest desire that God longs to meet when you recognize it and "present your request to God". We used to call it "praying through".

Nobody like the seat belt light to come on during a flight. Turbulence takes away the fun of flying and replaces it with fear. But there is something about fear that can focus you and cause you to sort through the emotions and with the help of the Holy Spirit identify what it really is you need from God so you can encounter His grace at a deeper more meaningful level!

God can help you fly through turbulence! Fasten your seat belt and pray - REALLY pray! Pray through!








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